Ispahan

(is-pa-hahn'.) [Anc. Aspadana.] A famous city of the Persian empire, and its former cap., 211 m. S. of Teheran, on the Zendarood, in a fertile plain. Under Shah Abbas, this place became the metropolis and "glory of the empire." It was 24 m. in circumference, and had a pop. of 600,000. Since the transfer, however, of the seat of govt. to Teheran, this city has naturally declined in importance, though it still retains a preeminence in manu fs. of costly stuffs, jewelry, and arms, owing to the skilful ne of her citizens. Pop. 60,000. [s. 495]